Souza Media: Sam Rameau dominated early, restarted deep in the field after a pit stop, drove to the front, made a pass for the lead, and rolled to Victory Lane. The Westminster, Massachusetts, native, and driver for Rameau Family Motorsports, was victorious in the season-opener for the Tri Track Open Modified Series presented by All Phases Renovations at Monadnock Speedway on Saturday, May 1.
In the Wonder Casino 100, Rameau made a late pass on Ron Silk to score the $6,000 winning check — besting more than 30 cars that showed up to the Winchester, New Hampshire oval. Silk crossed the line second, with defending series champion Matt Hirschman third.
Rameau pitted from the lead, along with the rest of the field, during a caution period just after halfway. He restarted outside the top-15 and his chances of winning at that point appeared slim. But the rising Modified talent worked his way to the front.
“I was just going at my own pace early, and we came in and I’m not going to lie, I was really nervous over the radio,” Rameau said. “With 40 laps to go, I said there was no way we were winning the race. The car just rolled the outside great. We all come here for the same reason. It’s really cool. I just really can’t thank my guys enough. They do a great job.”
Two-time NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Justin Bonsignore and Les Hinckley finished the top-five. Ben Byrne was sixth, followed by Woody Pitkat, Anthony Nocella, NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Preece and Joey Cipriano III.
Devin O’Connell advanced the most positions during the race, scoring the Green Construction, LLC Hard Charger award, worth $500. Earlier in the day, Justin Bonsignore, Woody Pitkat, Earl Paules and Ben Byrne won heat races, scoring $300 each courtesy of Pepsi and the Pepsi Challenge. Anthony Sesely and Brian Robie also scored $300 each from Pepsi with consi race wins.
The Tri Track Open Modified Series returns to the track at Star Speedway in New Hampshire on Saturday, May 22. For more information on the Tri Track Open Modified Series, visit tritrackmodifieds.com and follow the series on social media.
THE FINISH:
- Sam Rameau
- Ron Silk
- Matt Hirschman
- Justin Bonsignore
- Les Hinckley
- Ben Byrne
- Woody Pitkat
- Anthony Nocella
- Ryan Preece
- Joey Cipriano III
- Anthony Sesely
- Max Zachem
- Devin O’Connell
- Joel Monahan
- Chase Dowling
- Chris Pasteryak
- Kurt Vigeant
- Brian Robie
- Dylan Izzo
- Richard Savary
- Earl Paules
- Matt Swanson
- Matt Kimball
- Tommy Barrett
- Kirk Alexander
- Austin Kochenash
- Ronnie Williams
- Glen Reen